BLACK+DECKERWorkmate 301 Workbench, WM301-XJ

I'm really pleased with this little bench. For years, I've been "making do" with chairs, tables, volunteers, even a precariously placed foot to hold things steady, so I finally decided to get something better.ASSEMBLY - after looking at other reviews (thanks, everyone), I didn't even bother to read the instructions - I went straight to YouTube and found this excellent 6 minute video: http://youtu.be/CUPPYknO5Lk, posted by "green stripey paint". I can highly recommend it, it's so easy to follow. I kept my tablet beside me and played the video in stages until I had completed the bench. It took me about twenty-five minutes. (Thank you, Mr GSP)One minor gripe - the plastic feet tend to fall off in normal use. I kept having to look for the odd one, until I glued them all with Araldite, and they've been fine since.USE - All right, it's very basic and quite light, however, as I've said, it's a lot better and safer than my previous improvisations, and it's fine for my limited skills/use, such as holding curtain poles for sawing, clamping stuff for drilling, sanding, polishing, etc.I suspect that Norm wouldn't have it in his New Yankee Workshop, but then again, I don't have Norm's space, so for me, this is ideal - it folds up and stores easily in the shed between uses.[UPDATE (Oct 2015): In fact, it's so easy to store, that I've bought another one - they are a bargain, and it's handy to have two - eg one with the mitre saw set up, and one for clamping/gluing/sanding. Both together for tackling those extra long planks - you get the idea.]So, if you're a serious joiner/handyman, this is probably not for you, however if you want to upgrade from the table/chair/anyone handy improvisation, this is a great little bench. I like it.

For the price these are really good benches, my dad has had some for decades and they still work well. My only issue is the assembly. There are pins that have to be hammered into the handles, this is not easy at all and due to how the bench is built, it is very easy to hit the bench / wood whilst trying to hammer the pins in. I had to buy a small vice to squeeze them in instead after smacking the metal / wood a few times.The rest of the assembly was no problem at all.

Great work bench. I chose the Black & Decker mainly for the name as I knew I could trust it. Cheaper options were available but I felt this would be good quality and it is.Great height, nice and sturdy and folds up to store away in the shed.

The Workmate 301 has been a fantastic addition to my DIY setup. It’s incredibly versatile — I’ve used it as a sawhorse, a clamping bench, and a sturdy platform for cutting and assembly. The dual clamping cranks and adjustable swivel pegs are surprisingly strong, even holding awkwardly shaped materials firmly in place, which has made tasks like sanding and sawing much safer and more efficient.One of its best features is the foldable design. It folds completely flat and is light enough to hang on a wall or tuck into a small garage corner, yet when set up, it feels solid and steady thanks to the durable steel frame. It takes just seconds to unfold and lock into place, which makes it ideal for jobs where you’re constantly setting up and packing away.Whether I'm working in the shed or moving between sites, this bench is compact enough to take with me but sturdy enough to rely on — a great balance of portability and strength.Pros:Multi-purpose — great as a workbench, sawhorse, or clamping stationSolid steel frame provides a reliable, steady work surfaceStrong clamping system handles irregular shapes with easeFolds flat for compact storage or hanging on a wallQuick and tool-free setup and takedownCons:Assembly out of the box takes a bit of time initiallyNot ideal for heavy industrial jobs — better suited for home DIYSurface area may be small for very large projectsOverall, this is a brilliantly practical and well-built workbench for hobbyists, home renovators, or anyone needing a portable solution without compromising stability. It’s saved me time, space, and hassle on countless jobs.

I recently bought two of these at the higher price of £29.90 to use as saw horses having previously bought one about 25 years ago for a similar price. Now that the price has fallen to £20.00, I have bought another two so I can place a large piece of plywood across all four, as I need a large temporary work surface to construct some log stores. I am looking forward to putting these latest two together, having thoroughly enjoyed assembling the first two. I found that it helped to have the old one set up so that I could look at it whilst following the instructions which, although they are clear and well-labelled, can be difficult to follow without additional visual aids. So far I have found that all of the parts have fitted together perfectly, all of the holes have been drilled in exactly the right places and the assembled workmate has been rigid, sturdy and level. I think it is a classic masterpiece of engineering design and the assembly has been extremely well thought out. A work of genius. Utterly brilliant.

Avoid unless you know what you are doing, and have the abilities to see through the packaging. Quite possibly the WORST ‘multi-language’ (blurry pictures to follow) instructions making putting this up a real ache, and when I did get the frame together the plinths would not match the bolt wholes making the whole exercise irrelevant. Add to that there were missing nuts and I can think of no bigger fall from grace for a company like B & D. Sort your instructions out

Not that sturdy. Alright for small jobs. Awful build instructions. Another reviewer found a YouTube person who shows a 6 minute build. I used as well. Wish I would have spent more money on a better one.